Coin-controlled weighing machine or scale



March 23 1926.

F. R. ANDERSON G01N CONTROLLED'WEIGHING MACHINE 0R SCALE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb, 28| l/Q? March 23 1926.

F. R. ANDERSON com coNTRoLLED WEIGHING MACHINE 0R SCALE 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 28, 1922 0,0/ g @ma m g E:

6 Sheets-Sheet WNW F R ANDERSON COIN CONTROLLED WEIGHING MACHINE OR SCALE Flled Feb 28 March 23 ,1926.l

Armi/Vix March 23 1926. 1,577,673

F. R. ANDERsoN COIN CONTROLLED WEIGH'ING MACHINE 0R SCALE Filed Feb- 28. 1922 6 sheets-sheet 4 March 23 1926;

F. R. ANDERSON COIN GONTROLLED WEIGHING MACHINE OR SCALE Filed F'eb. 28, 1922 5 5heetssheet 5 March 23,1926. 1,571,673

F. R. ANDERSON COIN CONTROLLED WEIGHING MACHINE OR SCALE w 1/71 l/ y #51 Patented 53,

.UNirsn s'rarss PATENT oFrIc. t

FREDERICK R. ANDERSON, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, 'MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR'TO NATIONAL NOVELTY COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, .A CORE*ORJAUJIO.fbi'l OF MINNE- SOTA. j

COIN-CONTROLLED V/'EIGIIING MACHINE OR SCALE.

vApplication tiled February 2B, 1922. Serial No. 539,950.

T0 ZZ lwhomy 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FREDERICK R. ANDER- SON, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of liinneapolim Hennepin County, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and `Relating to Coin-Controlled Veighing Machines or Scales, of which the following is a speciiication. j j

This invention relates to certain improve ments iii coin controlled weighing machines or scales; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation oi the accompanying drawings showing what I now believe to be the preferred mechanical expression oi' embodiment of my invention from among other forms, constructions, arrangements or coinbinations within the spirit and scope thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide improvements in coin controlled weighing machines or scales whereby the accuracy, re-

5 liability and etiiciency of the saine may be increased without unduly complicating the .taken on line GG Figures mechanism or increasing the cost ofmanu facture.

A further object of this invention is to provide improvements in coin controlled weighing machines or scales whereby certain fraudulent usages of the same may be prevented.

A further object of this invention is to provide improvements in coin controlled weighing machines or scales whereby injuries to the delicate actuating and indicat-4 ing mechanism resulting from certain malicious abuses to which such machines are subject, may be prevented.

With these and other objects in View my invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a reduced Jfront view of a coin controlled weighing machine with a part of the column removed.

Figure 2 is a reduced sectional view on line AA Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a reduced sectional view on line VBB Figure 2.

Figure 4 is areduced sectional view on `line CC Figure 2, with platform removed jand showingthe scale levers in position.

Figure `5 is a sectional view somewhat enlarged over thatfof Figure 3 taken on the center line AA off the hollow tie bolt between D and D Figure '3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view somewhat `en-v larged over thatof Figure 3 taken on the .center line AA of the hollow'tie `bolt between E `and E Figure 3. g

Figure 7 is an actualsize rear view ofthe indicating and actua'tinglmechanism with i the rear frame plate and the indicator zero actuating arrangement removed. Figure 8 isfan actual size end coin receiving cup.

Figure 9 is an actual size rear view of the indicating and actuating mechanismV with view of the ythe back plate in position` and showing the indicator zero actuatingarrangement. Figure10 Vis an actual size section view on line FF Fig. 9.

Figure 11 isan actualr size sectional view taken on line'GG Figure 7. Y

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view and 9 between I-IandH.` i j y j Figure 13 is a sectional view on line I I Figure 12. j

vFigure 14C is a sectionalpview on line JJ Figure 12.` v y,

Figure 15 is a sectionalview taken on 1line KK Figure 12. i

Figure 16 is an enlarged elevation of the rack pawl,-coin arm, latch, etc., other. cooperating partsl being broken away.y Y

Figure 17 is a sectional view on line LL Figure 16. j

Figure 18 is a sectional view on line MM Figure 16. I

In the drawings, I disclose an embodiment ot my invention in the form of a coin con trolledl weighing machine or scale although I do'not wish togso limit or restrict all'features oi: myinvention. j

The machine illustrated embodies a horizontallyvdisposed hollow basel, a hollow vertical column 2 which rises from the rear end portionofv they base, and at its upper end is provided with an upright hollow annular head 3 usually cast open at the 'front and rear. The base 1, column 2 and head?) being rigidly secured to each other by means of the hollow tie bolt l, washers 5 and 6 and nuts 7 and 8. Suitable walls or closures are applied to the head 3 to close the same at the front and rear. For instance, I show a cover or wall 9 closing the rear of the head, while the faceor dial plate 10 and the front plate or disk 11 are secured in the head to close the same at the front. Also a transparent plate 12 is usually secured in the head to cover and protect the dial plate 10 and the indicating finger 13.

The weighing platform 14 to receive the object or load to be weighed, is arranged above the base and is yieldingly upheld and vertically movable. Theweighing platform is yieldingly upheld by suitable scale springs 15 and 16 through the-medium of tension rod 17 and any suitable scale leverage.

In the particular example illustrated, the platform is supported by four depending legs 14, 14h, 14c and 141 their lowerends resting on the horizontal .edges or transverse pivot bars 18, 19, 20, and 21 fixed to and carried by supplemental vertically-swingable scale lever 22 and main verticallyswingable scale lever 23 respectively. The

main lever 23 is fulcrumed at itsfront end to the base through the'medium of vertical links 24 and 25 and transverse knife edge pivots or bearings 26, 27, 28 and 29.

The` supplemental lever 22 is fulcrunied at its rear end to the base through the medium of vertical links 30 and 31 and transverse knife edge .pivots or bearingsv 32, 33, 34 and The front end of the supplemental lever 22 is sustained by and hung from the main lever '23 at a point intermediate the length of the main lever throughv vertical link 36 and transverse knifeedge bearings or pivots 37 and 38. The free end of the main lever 23 is extended rearwardly to a point below the column 2 for connection with the vertical tension rod 17 which extends throughV the column and into the head 3.

The tension rod upholds the rear end of the main lever 23 to carry the platform load, through the medium of transverse knife edge pivot or bearing 39 rigid with said lever and loop or eye 17 a formed by the lower end of the tension rod and engaged by said pivot. Y

In the particular example illustrated, the weighing counter-balance for the platform 14 is provided by a scale spring composed of a pair of parallel coiled expansion springs 15 and 16 arranged in the head 3 and at their upper ends hung from supporting bracket 40 fixed to disk 11 and at their lower ends secured to spring yoke or cross head 41 confined on the upper end of tension rod 17.

The scale spring yieldingly upholds the platform 14 and the scale leverage described is so proportioned and Varranged that the `secured to the indicator axle 45.

distance the tension rod 17 is moved downward by the load bears a known proportional or scaled relation to the weight of the load. rEhe proportional or scaled movement of the tension rod 17 is translated into intelligible visible weight readings or indications through the medium of a visible progressive scale of numbers on face plate or dial 10 with which visible rotatabfe indicator or pointer 13 co-operates, and motion transmission mechanism for said indicator controlled in its movements, indirectly at least, by the tension rod.

The upperend portion of the tension rod is provided with a laterally-projecting gage or stop finger 42 fixed to the rod to move vertically therewith and it is this gage that determines the weight indicating position to be assumed by the indicator 13 on each 0perative swing or movement vof that indicator. The gage is preferably vertically adjustable on the tension rod to attain accuracy and for correction. If so desired, this capability or vertical adjustment can be attained through a screw-threaded connection and nuts.

The operating or transmission mechanism for the indicator 13 consists of a reciprocating member geared to the indicator 13 to rotate the same on its operative strokes, and the length of the operative stroke of this member is determined by the position of the gage 42. In the example illustrated, said member is formed by a vertical bar 43 parallel with tension rod 17 and disconnected therefrom to reciprocate vertically indel pendently thereof. This bar 43 is formed with transverse gear teeth forming the rack 43a in constant mesh with the gear or toothed `indicator actuating pinion 44 which is rotatably mounted on the axle 45 of the indicator 13 and controls the angular posi' tion of said indicator with respectv to the scale on the face plate 10, through the longitudinal projection 44EL of the pinion 44, the two longitudinal projections 46"l and 46" of the coupling disc'46 which is rotatably mounted on the axle 45 andthe projection 47a of the toothed pinion 47 which is rigidly The gage 42 is located below the lower end of the rack bar 43 and said end of the rack bar normally abuts the top face of said gage.

A yielding or spring bumper is provided to cushion the rack bar at its limit of upward movement and to yieldingly hold said rack bar down to its normal inoperative position Figs. 2 and 3 and if need be to give it a. quick start on its operative stroke when released. For instance, l show bar 43 alincd with the rack bar and arranged above the same to engage the upper end thereof, said bar being slidable upwardly in bracket 49 secured to disk 11 and is yieldingly held downwardly by coiled spring 50.

By Figures 2 and 3 it will be noted that when the parts are in normal position, the indicator 13 is at zero (F ig. 1) and the rack bar is at its approximate limitl of upward movement and in etlect held between the gage and the spring-pressed bumper d8. The gage ll2 is also at its normal limit of upward movement with the scale platform at its limit ot upward movement. Jhen the load to be weighed is located on the. platform, the tension rod 17 immediately descends carrying the gage /12 downwardly a distance that should accurately represent the weight of the load. j

As hereinafter appears, rthe rack bar is normally locked to normally hold the indicator 13 at zero position. However, it the rack bar is released while the load is on the platform and the gage correspondingly7 lowered, the rack bar will thereupon del scend by reason of its own weight plus any other propelling force that may be applied thereto, until the lower end of the bar en# gages the gage. The downward movement of the bar rotates the indicator 13 to the proper position on the scale ot the face plate or dial to indicate the weight ot' the load on the platform.

lVhen the load is released from the platform, the gage, under the power ot the scale springs 15 and 16 raises the rack bar to normal position and allows the indicator to be returned to zero.

To attain maximum accuracy in positioning the indicator pointer 13 along ythe graduations or scale designations on the dial with respect to the movements ot' the rack bar, I preferably provide means to take up lost motion or so-called back lash between the meshing gear teeth ot the rack bar and indicator pinion. For instance, l show an elongated weight or bar 51 provided with longitudinal gear teeth along one side forming a. rack 51a which is `in constant mesh with the side of the indicator axle pinion i7 opposite the side to which the indicator actuating rack 43 meshes with indicator actuating pinion 14. Thus arranged it exerts a const-ant tension in one direction on the indicator actuating pinion to hold the pinion teeth. tightly against the indicator actuating rack bar teeth and thereby automatically takes up lost motion between the pinion and rack bar, permitting a more accurate registration o-f weights by the indicator pointer.

Due to the sudden shock that would be transmitted to the indicator from the impact of the indicator rack bar i3 with the gage 42, providing the indicator actuating gear 4A was rigid with the indicator axle l5, the actuating gear lll is allowed to revolve on said indicator axle and is provided with a projection it-lawhich as it revolves clockwise comes in Contact with projection 46a ot the coupling disc 4G which is also rotatably mounted on the pinion shaft and is provided with a second projectionib on the side opposite to projection 46 which as the coupling revolves comes in contact with the projection 47a et' the indicator axle pinion 47 which is rigid with the axle to which the indicator is secured. rlherefore after the indicator raclr bar has reached the limit ol its downward stroke, predetermined by the `gage ft2, the indicator will not instantly come to rest with a sudden sho-ck, but will, due to the `torce transmitted to it from the falling indicator rack, continue' on its course beyond the correct reading until vits stored energy has been dissipated, when it willbe gently brought to rest by the bal# ance raclr 5l opposite the correct reading asV predetermined by the gage 42.

Furthermore, it the weight or object being weighed should be suddenly or violently removed from the platform,jthe scale springs 15 and 16 would instantly contract causing the gage to torce. the upper end of the indicator rack bar violently upward against the bumper bar 4S. Now ijf the indica-tor actuating gear was rigid with. the yindicator axle i the indicator would not only receive a severe shock by being suddenly started from a state of absolute rest by the removal ot the load, butV would also receive a severeshock in the opposite direction by being instantly brought to rest by the impact ot the upper end of the indicator rack with the bumper barlS, but as previously stated and shown inthe drawings and s-pecilications, the indicator pinion is rotatably mounted on the indicator axle, and that as the indicator rack is forced violently upward, the indicator actuating,

brought to rest over the zero graduation by the force oit' gravity acting on the balance raclr 51 and transmitted to the indicator through the .indicator axle pinion 47 and the indicator axle 45.

'The extreme back end of the indicator axle is provided with means whereby adjustments may be made to cause the indicator to accurately register with the zero graduations when the scalemechanism is in the no weight position. To accomplish this end the set collar 52 is adjustably secured to the extreme rear end of the indicator shaft and is provided on its 'front or inner side with the projection 52a which operates in conjunction with the lateral projection 58a on the rear side of the couplingdisc 53 to bring the radial projection 53h of the disc 53 to abut with the stop pin 54 projecting from the back side of the rear traine 55 of the actuating mechanism, which, (it the set col'- lar 52 has been correctly adjusted longitu dinally of the indicator axle) will bring the indicator to rest over the zero graduation, through the torce imparted to it from the balance rack 51.

To prevent the projection 53h of the coupling disc. 53 trom coming in'abrupt contact with the stop pin 54 and 'causing undue shock to the indicator, the coupling disc 53 is rotatably mounted on the indicator axle and at its rear side is provided with the projection 53 which is operated on counter clockwise movements by the projection 521 of the set collar 52 coming in contact with it, but on clocltwise movements. of the in-V dicator the projection 52a o'tthe set collar 52 draws away from the projection 53a of the couplingV disc which allows the indicator to malte approximately two complete revolutions before the projection 53') will come in Contact with the stop pin 5l which has been proven by careful experiments, to be a suicientdistance in which to allow the indicator to dissipate all stored energy and to return to the correct reading predetermined by the gage 4:2 as previously stated.

The indicator rack bar d3 and counter weight rack 51 are confined between the trame plates 55, 56 and are guided and held to the indicator and indicator axle pinions and to movements in a straight line by suitable means carried by said iframe plates. F or instance, 'for this purpose, I show an upper pair ot opposite parallel flanged idler rolls 57, 58 and a corresjiionding lower pair ot parallel flanged idler rolls 59, 60 and an intermediate iianged idler roll 6l. rlhese rolls extend betvfeen said trame plates 55, 56 and at their opposite ends are formed with trunnions or journals mounted in said plates to freely revolve (see Figs. i' and 11). rlhe cylindrical surfaces ot the rollers engage the side t'aces ot the racl: bars and hold said bars properly positioned radially with respect to the. indicator pinion, while the flanges ot said rollers engage the front and rear edges ot the. rackl bars and hold the same in proper position vlongitudinally ot the pinion.

These cti-operating guiding rolls for the rack bars are designed to permit tree and easy vertical reciprocation ot the bar with a minimum ot' retarding friction.

The indicating pointer 13 is carried by a horizontal rotary shaft or axle /145 and is secured to the front end 15C thereof. The arbor extends rearwardly from the pointer. through dial 10, disk 11 and trame plates 56. The outer hubs ot theI pinions in which the axle 45 is mounted are formed with reduced end trunnions or journals lili", 4:7@ rotating in bearing openings in said plates and forming annular end shoulders 44C, 47 to abut the inner side faces ot the trame plates.

posite the gear teeth or racl; 48 and suitable means coi-operating with said tooth or notch. In the particular embodiment illustrated, this tooth is the lower one oi a longitudinal series of closely arranged downwardly-tacing beveled teeth or notches 43'.

A vertically-swingable toothed dog or pawl 62 co-operates with said lower tootl to hold the rack bar with the indicator pointer at zero. The pawl is longitudinally elongated and at its end adjacent to the rack l bar is termed with the longitudinally projecting' pointV or tooth G2 providing a top shoulder and a beveled lower edge 62h past which the beveled notches ot the rack bar can slip when the rack bar is forced upwardly and the pawl is thereby forced rearwardly to snap from notch to notch under the power ot the retractive spring 63 that yieldingly holds the pawl in its normal position. recate longitudinally as well as to swing or rock vertically, and these two movements are provided for by mounting the pawl on the upper end of the rocher arm Gel by means of the loosely litting shoulder pivot 65, Figures 16 and 18.l rEhe pawl spring 63 is secured to the tree end or heel ot the pawl and to a spring bracket 66 and constantly tends to press the pawl longitudinally to? ward the rack bar and to yieldingly hold the pawl in its normal horizontal rack bar locking position with the lower straight edge of the pawl bearing against a suitable stop, in this instance formed by the projecting lug Gil t the rocker arm 6s, Figures 7, 9 and 1li.

The pawl spring 63 is relatively light or weak in power and is not ot sutlicient vstrength'to hold the'pawl trom swinging to release the indicating mechanism. :in other words, the weight of or the load on the indicator' rack bar i3 tending to torce said bar downward is sutlicient to overcome the spring 63 and swing the pawl and permit `descent of said bar. it is hence necessar,v to

provide a lock or latch to normally hold said pawl against racl: bar releasing swing. To this end, l provide a -vertically swingable latch plate 67 arranged between the 'frame plates and swingable on axis G8 parallThe pawl G2 is mounted to reeip- List recaer lel with the pawl pivott, and having a nose 67 rigid with t-he latch plate and arranged to normally extend over the top edge of the pawl heel and prevent upward movement thereof and thereby lock the pawl against swing. The nose 67a when in pawl locking position is so located above the latch plate pivot bushing 68 that upward pressure of the pawl on the nose will not tend to swing the lplate to re-lease the pawl, although spring 69 secured to spring bracket'. 7G constantly tends to hold the latch plate in pawl locking posit-ion with its stop 67h against the projection 7l of the spacing washer 7l which is rigidly secured to the front frame plate 55 by means of the binding screw 72. i

The latch plate is rocked against the power of spring 69 to release the pawl, 'by the weight of a proper coin introduced into the machine. For instance, I show elongated arm 67C rigid with the latch plate 67 and normally extending horizontally there` from behind and approximately parallel with the disk l and at its free end carrying coin cup or trough 73. This coin cup is normally located in coin-receiving position at the lower discharge end of vertical coin chute or tube Tl secured to and ar ranged at the rear f ce of disk 1l. The coin slot or opening 3L opens or discharges into said tube or chute Tl. The spring' 69 attached to latch plate GT through the medium of arm 67C yielding ly holds the latch plate in pawl locking position and the coin cup in coin receiving position at the lower end of the coin chute.

7ith the parts in positions indicated by Figures l, 2, 3 and 7 it' the load or object to be weighed is placed on the scale platform 14, the the lower end of rock bar 43, a distance Aproportional to the weight of the. load and will be held at such` lowered position so long as theV load remains on the platform.v The indicating pointer remains at zero and is not concerned in the movement of the weighing mechanism and gage 42, so long as the rack bar 43 remains locked by the pawl and its latch. However, if while the load re mains on the platform, a proper coin is inserted through slot 3a and dropped into cup 73 the -weigl'it of the coin will cause the latch to swing vertically as the arm descends against the tension of coin weighing spring 69 until the coin drops from vthe cup, where upon said spring will return the latch and its arm to normal positions. The swing of the latch under the weight of the coin, moves the p-awl locking nose 67a upwardly and back from the heel of the pawl to free the same and permit upward swing thereof under the load of the rack bar on the point of the pawl. The rack bar will then descend from the machine front gage l2 will be moved down from until its lower end abuts the ,gage 42 and the indicator point will swing to thel designation on the dial that indicates the weight as they slip down f the rack bar quickly l the pawl will be re-` As the rack stored to normal position with the aid i of its spring 63 by pawl point withfthe series of ratchet teeth. The upward movement of the toothed edge of the bar will force the point of the pawl up and thereby rock the pawl and .move the same longitudinally. The heel of the pawl will swing down on the nose 67a of the latch and the beveled endvedge 62C of the pawl heel will then swing the latch Lhy engagement with the latch nose so that thel p-awl will slip,` down past the latch and to normal position bearing on the projection 6l of the rocker arm 64. The latch will immediate-ly return to locking position with its nose overhanging the pawl heel. This return of the pawl to normal position is ascomplished by the upward passage of one of the ratchet teeth 431? past the 'pawl point, and thereafter the pawl reciprocates longi-` tudinally as the ratchet teeth 43" slip past the pawl poiluJ and thel pawl is forced back by the resulting cam action o-f such teeth on its beveled lower edge. While in this position with the latch in locking position, the rack bar is locked against downward movement although free to move upwardly under the power of the scale spring applied through gage 42.

The series of ratchet teeth in connection with the co-operating pawl and its latch, prevent operation of the machine to secure more than one weight indication by only one coin insertion as y the more or less common method of applying another load to the scale platform while the previous load is partially sustained by the platform. lith my construction a partial removal of the load from the platform will cause upward movement of the gage 42 and consequent restoration of the pawl to normal position, thereby locking the rack bar against downward movement, If the Aload on the platform is reduced suthciently to cause upward movement of the rack bar a distance approximately equal to the distance from one the engagement of the y ratchet tooth to the next, such upward ate position. In

-a -coin released locking rack bar movement will be suflicient to restore the pawl t0 normal locking position.

If another load is applied to the scale platform without reducing the weight of a previous load applied to and still remaining on the platform, the gage will move down to a position corresponding to the aggregate weight'of the two loads and the rack bar will continue down with the gage, and the indicator pointer will move to the figure on the dial indicating such aggregate or gross weight. If the first load is then entirely removed from the platform, the scale y.spring will return the parts to an interme- V4diate position, but

the friction of the pawl against the rack bar and the load on the rack bar will prevent an accurate weight indication by the indicator pointer when it stops on its backward movement at an intermediother words, the mechanisms are constructed and arranged to avoid accurate weight indications on their return movements. y Y

It is evident that various changes, modifications and variations might be resorted to that parts might be omitted, or features added, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosures hereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a coin controlled weighing machine, an indicating mechanism embodying a reciprocatory member having a series of ratchet teeth beveled to permit return movement of said member, controlled stop means therefor, coin controlled locking means for said mechanism including a locking pawl co-operating with said teeth, and latch for said pawl, said latch and pawl being spring held and said pawl being swingable and longitudinally movable.

2. In a coin controlled weighing-machine,

an indicating mechanism embodying a rcciprocatory controlling and operating member having a longitudinal series of ratchet teeth, controlled stop means therefor, in combination with a longitudinally-movable swingable pawl spring-held to said toothed portion of the bar, and a coin released latch for said pawl yieldingly held in and automatically returned to pawl locking position.

3. In a coin controlled weighing machine, an indicating mechanism embodying a controlling and an operating trolled stop means therefor, in combination with check controlled locking means for said mechanism embodying a swingable and longitudinally movable spring-held pawl, and a swingable coin-released spring-held latch having a pawl locking nose normally overhanging the pawl heel to prevent re leasing the pawl.

4. In a coin controlled weighing machine, an indicating mechanism embodying a controlling and an operating member, in combination with la spring-held swingable and reciprocatory pawl arranged to co-operate with said member, a freely oscillating arm carrying said pawl and coin controlled locking means normally engaging a heel of said pawl to prevent a released movement thereof.

5. In a coin controlled weighing machine, a reciprocatory indicating member, controlled stop means therefor, an independently supported roclrable and reciprocatory pawl yieldingly engaging said indicating member for holding the same against operative movement, and a latch FREDERICK R. ANDERSON.

member, confor said pawl, said latch having a nose normally overhang` CII 

